Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Instructor: Ms. Atwell
E Period – Fall 2010
E‐mail: catherine.atwell@marlboroughschool.org
Prep Periods: D, G and H
OVERVIEW
This class will introduce you to many of the important theories, concepts and controversies in the
exciting field of international economics. In part one of the course, we will focus on how the global
economy operates. Who benefits from international trade and investment, and how? How do
exchange rates work? In part two of the course, we will focus on the sub‐field of “development
economics,” which is concerned with issues of global economic equity and the alleviation of poverty.
How important are education, health care, nutrition, access to credit? What are some of the newest
approaches being tried to promote economic development? What challenges do poor countries (and
poor people in relatively wealthier countries) face in trying to improve their economic condition? What
role can institutions, including government and non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), play in
development? Is development the same as growth? How does gender figure into economic decision
making? Throughout both parts of the course, we will also explore the challenges and opportunities
presented by globalization. What is meant by globalization? Is it inevitable? How do we measure its
effects? How has it affected economic interactions and development around the world?
Not only are all of these topics crucial for understanding the world around us, but they also appear in
many university‐level public policy, international affairs and economics courses. This class is therefore
designed to provide you with the basic vocabulary to jump into those disciplines in college!
TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE
Weeks 1 & 2: Introduction to Basic Economic Concepts and Historical Background (Ascent of Money
video); What is “the Economy”?
Weeks 3 & 4: Principles of International Trade and Exchange
Weeks 5 & 6: Theories and Approaches to Poverty, Inequality, Economic Growth and Development
Weeks 7 & 8: Human Capital (Population, Education and Health in Economic Development)
Weeks 9 & 10: The Role of Institutions in Promoting Development
Weeks 11 & 12: The Role of Markets and Fiscal Policy in Development
Weeks 13 & 14: Foreign Aid and Foreign Debt
Week 15: Wrap‐Up
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MATERIALS
The only required textbook is The Development Economics Reader, ed. Giorgio Secondi (2008).
To supplement this text, you will read a number of articles, book excerpts and other documents. Those
additional readings will be distributed to you either online through the class Web Portal or Haiku
Learning System or in hard copy. Please plan to bring the reading assigned for each class with you to
class, along with any notes you may have made.
ASSESSMENTS
Your understanding and engagement with the material of this course will be assessed in several ways:
quizzes, policy papers, projects, presentations and class participation. This course covers challenging
(and sometimes depressing) material, so I want to make it as fun and rewarding as possible for you.
That being said, it IS a serious academic course, with serious academic requirements.
Most important in my mind is class participation, which counts for 20% of your quarter grade. That’s a
lot! How can you maximize your class participation grade? By coming to class on time, having read and
thought about the assigned material, and being willing to offer your thoughts, questions and analyses in
class discussion.
Each of you will have the chance to work in depth on a particular development issue or challenge that
interests you. Together with a partner, you will research the problem, analyze why past approaches (if
relevant) have not worked, and put together a policy proposal/project to address it. More information
about this project to come soon!
COURSE POLICIES/EXPECTATIONS
1. Assignment Sheets: Detailed assignment sheets with homework and upcoming assessments will be
available on the Class Web Portal and our Haiku Learning Site. Please check these sites daily for
announcements, handouts and other important information!
2. Written Work/Deadlines: Written assignments are due in hard copy (paper, unless specified
otherwise) IN CLASS, at the START of the period. Assignments are still considered late if they are
handed in at the end of class or any time during the day. Each day that an assignment is late costs a
1/3 grade increment. An undone assignment gets a zero. If I do not collect an assignment on the date it
was due, file it and bring it to class with you in your notebook; you will still be responsible for handing it
in later, if asked. See your Student Handbook for more information.
If you experience difficulty printing out an assignment, to avoid a lateness penalty you must e‐mail your
work to the instructor, it must arrive in my In‐Box BEFORE the start of class, and I must ACKNOWLEDGE I
have received it. Until you receive an e‐mail back, the work is NOT considered turned in. Read that last
part again! Moreover, you still must print out a copy of the paper to hand in ASAP.
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For on‐line assignments, the same rules apply. Technological difficulties are not an excuse for late work.
Be sure you leave yourself enough time to deal with any snafus that might arise.
3. Free Pass: During the semester there may come a time when you are feeling seriously overworked or
stressed. Or there may be a family/personal event that makes it difficult to finish your homework or
study for a test. To help you cope, I will grant you one “FREE PASS” per semester to delay the due date
for a homework assignment, test or quiz. If you invoke the “Free Pass”, you may make up the
homework assignment, paper or quiz with no lateness penalty no later than two (2) days after the
original due date. Please note: In order to use your free pass, you must inform me in writing (e‐mail is
OK) no later than 8:00 p.m. the night BEFORE an assignment/test is due. No exceptions. [The “Free
Pass” does not apply to serious illness for which you are absent from school and for which you have a
note from your parent/guardian.] Use this “Free Pass” wisely – you only have one per semester. Please
note that competing in a Marlborough‐sponsored event such as a sports team or drama production does
NOT automatically give you an extension – this would be a good way to use your Free Pass if these
events conflict with your extracurricular commitments. Also note that Free Passes may NOT be used on
group assignments.
4. Citations/Academic Honesty: 100% correct attribution of sources consulted when writing papers is
expected. If you do not properly cite even one source, whether intentionally or unintentionally, it is
plagiarism and an Honor Code violation. Simply rewording another author’s text is not enough. When
in doubt, use quotations and give the author credit. Before you hand in any assignment, double check
to make sure the work you are handing in is completely your own. Computer errors, etc. are not valid
excuses. I take this issue very seriously – you should too. It’s a matter of “Citizenship, Respect and
Responsibility.” See your Student Handbook for more information. We will also be completing an on‐
line exercise to clarify the rules for you.
There will be a number of opportunities throughout the year for you to collaborate with your classmates
on projects. Please note that the work of each member of a group counts towards the group’s overall
grade. Thus, it is your responsibility to check each other’s work. Do not just divide up the pieces of the
project among yourselves and hope for the best. Where’s the collaboration in that?
5. Paper Style: Please note that I consider proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax and essay
structure VERY IMPORTANT. Although I understand that spelling/grammatical errors may occasionally
occur during timed in‐class writing assignments, they are unacceptable in assignments you have
prepared at home. Those errors will adversely affect your grade. Do not be sloppy.
Papers should be typed. Double‐space your work and use and fonts no smaller than 11 point or larger
than 12 point. All assignments should include your name, class section and date in the top, right‐hand
corner of the first page. Please page number and staple multi‐page assignments BEFORE you come to
class. No exceptions.
6. Absences: If you miss a class, you are expected to meet with a classmate immediately when you
return to copy any class notes. After meeting with the classmate, contact the instructor to discuss what
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you have missed and acquire any handouts. The instructor will not discuss the material you have missed
with you until AFTER you have obtained the notes from a classmate and reviewed them.
If you miss a quiz or test, you must meet with the instructor the day of your return to schedule a make‐
up assessment. The assessment will be slightly different, and may include additional material covered
since the date of the original assessment. Please note that missing class on the day before an
assessment does NOT excuse you from taking the assessment on time.
If you miss more than six (6) classes in one semester (not quarter), your final semester grade may, at the
discretion of the instructor, go down by one third of a grade. This includes both excused and non‐
excused absences. Excused absences include participation in performing arts events, field trips, athletic
events, illness, etc.
7. Lab Period: We will not generally use any L (Lab) period attached to this course unless I inform you
otherwise in advance (typically for movies or student presentations). If I do tell you we will be using the
L period, however, attendance is mandatory. This includes Labs on Wednesdays that occur BEFORE our
regularly scheduled class meeting.
8. Use of Classroom Time: Some classes will involve lecturing, but in an open‐format way that may raise
questions for you along the way. Your questions, comments, analysis, skepticism, etc. are almost always
invited. There will be other days that are discussion‐centered, and you should be prepared to
participate actively on those days.
9. Laptop Computers: We are very fortunate this year to have the use of tablet laptop computers in
our classroom! Each student will have the use of a laptop daily. Thus, you do not need to bring your
own computer to class, but you are welcome to do so. Our classroom is “wireless” so you should also be
able to save your work directly to your Marlborough drive. However, as we all know, sometimes the
network goes down – I suggest you keep a flash drive handy at all times. They are available from the
Student Store. Bring your flash drive to each and every class.
We will not necessarily use the laptops every day, unless you prefer to take notes by typing. Feel free to
take notes in a traditional notebook, if that is what you are used to. Laptops must be handled with care
– and be sure to keep track of the tablet pen located to the side of the computer. Please note that we
will be running the computers off battery power (no electrical cords), so you must re‐plug in the
laptop power cord inside the cart for recharging. Be kind to the students in the classes after you.
10. Classroom Etiquette: Please be on time to class – we have a lot to cover, and it is distracting to your
classmates if you straggle in late. No gum in class EVER and no food or sodas (bottled water is OK).
This is a new classroom, and Marlborough has designated it as a “demonstration” space to show off our
new technology to visitors. Let’s all do our part to keep the classroom and surrounding area looking
good.
This class is meant to stimulate lots of discussion on sometimes controversial topics. You may not
always agree with the ideas or opinions voiced by your classmates. Be respectful and open minded.
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MEANS OF CONTACT
The best way to get in touch with me other than in the classroom is via e‐mail. I check e‐mail
periodically from home as well as during school hours. However, I do not check e‐mail after 8:00 p.m.
at night. Please note that sending me an e‐mail message does not necessarily excuse you from any
pending homework or test obligations, and requests for use of your “Free Pass” must be received by
me no later than 8:00 p.m. No exceptions. If you would like to see me for a conference, please make
an appointment as soon as possible. I will be delighted to talk to you about any concerns or questions
you may have!
Good luck and have fun this year!
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